It is illegal to drive while your license is suspended without the use of a valid restricted license. Even with a restricted license, there are still certain conditions that one must abide by if he/she wishes to drive during a period of license restriction. In this article, we will discuss what some of the consequences are of ignoring your driving suspension. Read on to learn more, and, if after you’ve finished this article you would like more information on license suspension, please consider contacting us.
What leads to license suspension?
There are several reasons for why you might have your driving license suspended, one of the main reasons being that you were arrested and found guilty for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (DUI). If on your first offense and no injuries occurred, it is likely you will be eligible for a restricted license that will allow you to drive either to complete necessary responsibilities (such as going to work) or because you’ve agreed to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. An ignition interlock device (IID) is a device that only allows you to operate your vehicle if you breathe into it, testing your sobriety.
What happens if you drive under a suspended license?
Driving with a suspended license and without a restricted license can have severe consequences, such as a license revocation. In the State of California, driving while your license is suspended is typically charged as a misdemeanor. You may be charged legally for breaking 14601.2(a) with penalties of up to $2,000 in fines as well as up to one year in jail, depending on the number of offenses.
It should be noted that in order to be charged under code 14601.2(a), you must have had knowledge of your license suspension. You should receive a letter notifying you of your suspension from the DMV. If, however, no notification was presented to you, making it so that you could not have known of your suspension, then you are not guilty of violating this code.
This article has provided basic information about what could result from failing to abide by a license suspension in the State of California. If you or someone you know is currently having their license suspended or is being charged with driving under a suspension, please consider contacting us so that we may discuss your legal options.
Regardless of the classification of the offense, it is important that you seek the assistance of competent legal counsel to help you best understand your legal defense while identifying an outcome that best minimizes your risk. We here at the H Law Group patiently await your call.
